PROMISE FAQ for Applicants
This FAQ provides an explanation of various provisions included in the Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) program's notice inviting applications (NIA) in order to assist potential applicants in designing their proposed projects. PROMISE was proposed by the Obama Administration to improve the education and career outcomes of low income children with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

(06/20/2013)

OSEP Dear Colleague Letter on Braille
The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to states and public agencies to reaffirm the importance of Braille instruction as a literacy tool for blind and visually impaired students, to clarify the circumstances in which Braille instruction should be provided, and to reiterate the scope of an evaluation required to guide decisions of IEP Teams in this area. This letter also identifies resources that are designed to help strengthen the capacity of state and local personnel to meet the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired.

(06/19/2013)

OSEP Dear Colleague Letter on Suggested Model for Written Notification of Parental Rights regarding Use of Public Benefits or Insurance
On February 14, 2013, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) published the final regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to amend rules governing the use of public benefits or insurance. These amendments include a new requirement for public agencies to provide written notification to a child’s parents before accessing a child’s or parent’s public benefits or insurance (e.g., Medicaid) for the first time and annually thereafter. To assist states and public agencies in implementing this new requirement, we are providing a model written notification, which you may wish to provide to school districts in your state to use to meet the new requirements.

Year of College and Career initiative.
The Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) launched its new YCC Website, a portal for OSERS to share transition news, events, youth-specific information, and a range of other resources.

These documents are a response to the GAO recommendations from their 2010 report which states that “the Secretary of Education facilitate information sharing among states and schools on ways to provide opportunities in [physical education] PE and extracurricular athletics to students with disabilities.”